A Playbook for Your Next Step in Massage – A Touch of Costa Rica

Recently Ariana was featured on the podcast “A Touch of Costa Rica” where she offers a behind the scenes look at her longevity strategy as a licensed therapist, educator, CEO and recent participant in CRSMT’s continuing education offering, Essentials of Orthopedic Massage with the renowned Whitney Lowe.

“Contemplating how to expand your massage therapy offerings? Ariana Vincent offers a behind the scenes look at her longevity strategy as a licensed therapist, educator, CEO and recent participant in CRSMT’s continuing education offering, Essentials of Orthopedic Massage with the renowned Whitney Lowe. Ariana will also share some of the unique Samara experiences that she had with her husband during their extended stay. To learn more about CRSMT, visit www.atouchofcostarica.com”

Ariana, what was your first introduction to massage and what inspired it?

During the first stage of my massage career where I worked for 20 years as a massage therapist, I was very fortunate to live in Austin, Texas, back in the 80s. Austin has a reputation for being one of the most “Fit Cities” in the US, so it was the perfect place to open my therapeutic massage practice. In my senior year at the University of Texas, where I studied psychology and art, I had a part-time job at SafeRWay Health Food store (the precursor to Whole Foods) where I met many wonderful people focus on good health and natural healing. I feel like that is when my true education began.

I was an active member of the Austin Area Holistic Health Association (AAHHA) where I expanded my network of professionals in the healing arts. Becoming a massage therapist seemed like the perfect career for me since I resonate with the natural health care wellness model that includes stress reduction and non- invasive techniques for relieving pain and discomfort. I am especially interested in the positive effects that therapeutic massage has on people whose lives have been affected by trauma.

My first introduction into the second stage of my massage career I love learning and every opportunity I get I take advanced Continuing Education courses, which is what drew me to the Costa Rica School of Massage where I studied Orthopedic Massage with Whitney Lowe.

How did this experience play a role in transporting you from joining the holistic health community to becoming a Nationally Certified Massage Therapy Instructor and the CEO of The Ariana Institute for Wellness Education?

I have always loved the educational environment and I continue to strive to learn and grow as my career progresses.

For 20 years, I practiced as a licensed massage therapist in private practice, in healthcare offices and upscale resorts environments. I was in the first group of people to be licensed as massage therapists in Texas and later, once Texas began mandating CE classes, I was approved as a Texas CE provider. Many people asked me to show them some of the techniques I learned and integrated into my practice. After 20 years as a massage therapist, I began the second stage of my massage therapy career as an educator, which has continued for an additional 20 years.
I created The Ariana Institute for Wellness Education and I began offering CE classes in Austin and then expanded to include CE classes in other areas of the United States – as far away as Cape Cod, Massachusetts. When I first started my career as an educator, there were no informational classes specifically related to teaching massage therapy. I taught myself how to market my CE classes and eventually designed a CE class that focuses on marketing massage therapy. It was one of my first CE classes. I taught it for the Austin AMTA chapter which met at The Lauterstein Conway School of Massage. I’ve been teaching 20 years now and one thing that keeps me fresh and intrigued with the massage profession is participating in advanced Continuing Education classes like Whitney Lowe’s Orthopedic Massage class at the Costa Rica School of Massage.

Looking back on my career as a nationally certified Massage Therapy Instructor and Licensed Massage Therapist, I attribute much of my success to being resilient in the face of obstacles, surrounding myself with supportive motivational peers, and keeping a positive perspective.

 

How did you learn of CRSMT’s Essentials of Orthopedic Massage continuing education offering with Whitney Lowe? What were some of the deciding
factors that made you leap into this particular learning experience?

I met Whitney Lowe in 2015 at the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education’s Educational Congress where Whitney was awarded educator of the year and I was awarded CE provider of the year. I was impressed with his focus on the importance of education in the massage profession as well as his emphasis on evidence-based massage therapy. Whitney is one of the most well-educated and well-prepared educators I’ve ever met. I was interested in the subject matter – orthopedic massage – as well as his teaching style.

One of my dreams is to spend as much time as possible in beautiful, tropical Costa Rica with my husband. I’d visited Costa Rica previously and had a wonderful time. From the moment I left, I wanted to return. Attending this workshop at CRSMT was a dream come true. I plan to return to Costa Rica in November to hike with the Sierra Club in Southern Costa Rica and Northern Panama.

Can you share an insight or focus area that most resonated with you from the classroom?

Whitney is an expert at presenting his material in a well-thought-out way that includes the use of technology in the classroom. I was impressed that even though we were in an outdoor classroom, we were able to access educational videos that enhanced the classroom experience. Studying with Whitney Lowe was memorable and life-changing experience. I admire Whitney’s approach to education. He helps massage therapists develop critical thinking skills that are essential to effective assessment and treatment. Information that Whitney synthesized over 30 years is presented before, during, and after his Orthopedic Massage Class. Prior to the class learners were able to access Whitney’s books, Orthopedic Massage and Orthopedic Assessment; texts regarding orthopedic massage that he sends via e-mail and social media; online lectures that are available through his Academy of Clinical Massage; and videos from his extensive archives.

During the class, Whitney helps his students become more effective clinicians, have a more satisfying and successful practice, and gain loyalty from their clients. His specific learning outcomes include the following:

– Gain insight into musculoskeletal conditions, from acute to chronic
– Explore why and how treatments function to heal pain and injuries
– Learn to match the physiology of the tissue with the physiological effects of the treatment
– Learn injury specific & generalized treatment solutions for a wide diversity of conditions
– Learn orthopedic assessment and problem-solving strategies so your treatments are more effective and targeted
– Review anatomy & kinesiology principles so your treatments and assessments are based on sound science
– Develop the clinical reasoning skills that are necessary and at the core of advanced therapy
– Content is focused on the cognitive, knowledge-based, and in- depth study that Lowe believes is the foundation for high-quality, advanced massage treatment of complex conditions.

After the class was complete, Whitney provided multiple resources for advanced study, including his books, a 130-hour online orthopedic massage training program, and online communication through his monthly Zoom & office hour meetings. The comprehensive Program Resources Document that was provided after Whitney’s class included a thorough overview of information presented in class and links to videos and articles.

For learners who are interested in diving deeper into the world of orthopedic massage, in addition to utilizing the Program Resources Document, Whitney offers his 130-hour Clinical Rehabilitative Massage (CRM) Certificate program. It was amazing to study with an instructor who cares so deeply about his subject matter. His teaching style shows that he has spent decades contemplating and researching learning theories and methods of teaching that help learners truly integrate the material in a tangible way that can expand their knowledge, develop their critical thinking skills, and enhance their professional practices.

After Whitney Lowe’s Orthopedic Massage class, I reflected on the experience and developed an awareness that I was actually able to integrate the course material in a tangible way that expanded my knowledge and enhanced my critical thinking skills. I am grateful to have experienced Whitney’s approach to teaching. It helped me see my own classes at The Ariana Institute for Wellness Education in a new light. I am particularly impressed with Whitney’s methods for creating a beneficial and effective learning environment through a combination of experiential exercises, lectures, Q&As, and technology in a classroom that was occasionally interrupted with mangos crashing down on the roof and iguanas peering in from the palm trees surrounding the classroom.

If I had one piece of advice to new students prior to embarking on Whitney’s orthopedic massage courses in a classroom setting, it would be to prepare yourself for your courses by studying the material (Whitney’s books, online classes and social media posts) prior to the class so you could reinforce the knowledge you have gained through your course of study, as well as deepening your knowledge experientially and cognitively in the classroom. There are many things to learn from Whitney Lowe, including not only course content, but also effective teaching methods. He is one of the most blazingly brilliant and accessible instructors in the massage profession today.

Being that you are an accomplished instructor in your own right, how will this coursework with Whitney Lowe help to enhance your work and practice going forward?

The team at The Ariana Institute for Wellness Education has recently updated and expanded its Massage Therapy Instructor’s course. Whitney’s use of technology during our class at CRST inspired us to expand our Technology in the Classroom section of our MTI course.

You have been a licensed massage therapist for 40 years and a continuing education provider for 20. What is the secret to your longevity in this industry?

I keep things fresh by attending interesting and informative CE classes that offer up-to-date information about the latest scientific techniques. Additionally, I have a wonderful support team at The Ariana Institute for Wellness Education, including Stephanie Friedersdorff, who is not only a Massage Therapy Instructor but has recently completed her Master’s in Education and is working on her Ph.D. in education.

Wes Fletcher is another deeply appreciated member of my team who has helped me as a marketing director, administrative assistant, and as an editor of the Ariana Institute’s eight massage therapy manuals that are currently available on Amazon. Having the support of a wonderful team has helped me throughout my career as an educator.

My husband, Michael McIver, is a long-time Advanced Certified Rolfer who studied directly with Dr. Ida Rolf. He attended Whitney Lowe’s workshop with me in Costa Rica and he loved it. He applies the therapeutic principles he learned in Whitney’s class in his daily Rolfing practice.

With accolades such as being named the 2015 Alliance for Massage Therapy Education CE Provider of the Year and a 2013 Massage Therapy Hall of Fame Honoree, what were some of the challenges you had to overcome on the journey to receiving these larger-than-life achievements?

Challenges included (1) formatting the classes in a way that conformed to NCBTMB requirements, (2) learning how to market my CE classes in a cost-effective way, (3) creating a financial platform to fund the development and marketing of The Ariana Institute.

I’m sure our listeners are curious to know a bit more about The Ariana Institute for Wellness Education. Talk to us about your students and the unique aspects of your work that bring you joy.

Being an educator is a very rewarding experience – both personally and professionally. Recently, one of my new Massage Therapy Instructor students sent me the most beautiful bouquet of sunflowers that I’d ever seen as a thank you for mentoring her. I love touching the hearts of my students and helping them achieve their professional goals. As I touch their hearts, they touch mine. I am very grateful.

Can you share one story where your touch has transformed a client’s life in an unexpected way?

I’ve been an educator for 20 years, so most of the transformations I am aware of come through educational channels. I do remember one a my neighbors and friends telling me that she was inspired to become a massage therapist after receiving massages for many years. Her practice continues to this day and I am so honored to have influenced her in her career choice.
 
I’d love to hear about your experiences outside of the classroom. What were some of your memorable experiences during your time in Samara?

I contacted Brenda Dragone at the Samara Info Center and she helped me arrange many wonderful experience in nature including horseback riding in the rainforest, kayaking, dolphin watching, and a wonderful guided hike in a nature preserve.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to new students embarking on the coursework you completed at CRSMT?

I highly recommend studying with Whitney Lowe, both online and in person. He is a stellar educator who goes above and beyond what many educators offer. He brings years of experience to the table and he’s very tech savvy and he shares his tech expertise in the classroom in ways that help enhance and anchor the information gained.

In closing, if you could use one word to sum up your life’s work in holistic health, what would it be and why?

Phenomenal. My career choice has been a good one for me. It suits my personality and it is in alignment with my core beliefs. I love my students and they love me. It’s truly been phenomenal.

Catch the full podcast here!

Posted in Awards, Marketing, Massage Educators, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy Instructor

Exploring the Path of a Massage Therapy Instructor

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Choosing Your Path

There are myriad ways you can configure your career as an MTI. You can work part-time or full-time, you can use your experiences as an MTI as a stepping-stone to another career, you can focus on being an MTI as a second career, you can blend teaching with your current vibrant massage therapy practice, or you can supplement your retirement income by becoming an MTI. There are opportunities to work as an independent massage therapy instructor like I do, you can work as an instructor at an established massage therapy school, and/or you can work for a nationwide company that provides massage therapy classes throughout the U.S.

Once you have been approved as an MTI and you have your MTI license and any other licenses and certifications you may need in order to teach, focus on setting goals for each of the massage therapy courses you wish to teach. Then choose the content and format that will make each course work for you and your students. If you choose a career as an independent MTI, you can utilize the information you gain in your MTI course to begin designing the content of your course notebook and structure. Remember to avoid using other people’s copyrighted material without permission and acknowledgment. If you choose to work as an MTI in a massage school environment, the school administrators will typically provide course notebooks and supporting media for the classroom. You should also think about how you will use technology in the classroom. Practice teaching your newly designed massage course to colleagues and friends and ask for feedback. It is not only an excellent idea to practice teaching, but it is also an NCBTMB requirement, as stated on their website, “Before submitting an application to NCBTMB for approval, you must have taught the course at least one time within the last year to a group of five or more participants. You must provide the participants with an evaluation requesting feedback on the course, instruction and material.” You could even videotape yourself practice teaching so you can study the pros and cons of your teaching style. An additional way to learn to teach would be to partner with another instructor during the beginning of your career or to serve as an assistant in a classroom.

Teach what you truly love and what you are qualified to teach. Think about how good it feels to have a positive influence in the lives of those around you. Create a structure for your classes in an environment that participants will enjoy. Utilize the information and resources presented in your MTI course material to create the ideal classroom environment. Make sure the classroom is well lit, properly ventilated, clean, comfortable, and that there are appropriate restroom facilities. Decide whether or not you are going to provide massage tables. Make sure to have a balanced percentage of hands-on experiential training and cognitive information. My preferred balance is 80% experiential and 20% cognitive.

Once you have developed your course material, if you are an independent MTI,, focus on setting prices, registering participants, and preparing rosters and certificates of attendance. Set up a spreadsheet to track your income and expenses on a daily basis so you can carefully monitor your progress. It is also important to remember that the first three to five years of any business, including massage therapy education, are building years as you lay the foundation for your ongoing success. Keep the appropriate tax records for the IRS. Also maintain  student records, rosters and course evaluations for NCBTMB and your state massage board. Please be sure to comply with all of your state board rules and regulations.

Develop marketing strategies by taking some marketing classes, reading books that offer tips for successful marketing and utilizing the services of mentors and consultants. The Ariana Institute’s MTI course includes information on marketing your courses as an independent MTI; however, not all MTI courses provide this component in their curriculum. Next, determine what marketing techniques work best for your business and budget. Think of ways to develop compelling descriptive titles for your courses to capture the attention of your students. Believe that you can be successful and surround yourself with competent people who support you in achieving your goals and dreams.

We will next explore ways of finding and creating opportunities to advance your career as an MTI.

Opportunities For Massage Instructors

Search engines come in handy for researching opportunities for massage therapy instructors. If you want to work at a massage school, simply search the name of the city where you want to teach and then enter “massage school” and find out the name of the director of the school and contact that person to see if there are any positions available for MTIs. You could also offer to teach one-time continuing education classes in your area of specialty as well as seeing about becoming a part of the part-time or full-time faculty. Create a proposal for the CE classes you want to teach at the schools and submit it to the school administrators along with your resume and cover letter. Go to events and CE classes at the schools where you are interested in teaching so that you become known in their environment.

If you are interested in teaching for a national massage company that hires instructors, you could do some online research for names and contact information and then follow-up to see if they are hiring.  You could take some courses offered by that company and talk to the instructor to see what his or her teaching experiences with that company have been like.

Another approach to utilizing your MTI certification would be to establish yourself as an independent MTI and CE provider. Design and develop your own course curriculum and market your class to the local community. Once you have achieved your desired level of success, consider expanding your market.

You can develop name recognition by offering to teach classes for local massage groups, such as massage Meetups and local AMTA chapters. On a larger scale, you can submit proposals for state and national conventions, for example, AMTA national conventions and The World Massage Festival.

Consider writing a book on the massage technique that you want to teach. This can help you market yourself as an educator. This can be done for every course, or bundle of courses that you offer.

In today’s technological world, another good marketing avenue is to create instructional videos for your courses and (1) publish them on the web, (2) send them to prospective students, (3) place them on your website, (4) include the URLs for these videos in the books that you publish, and (5) include the URLs in your course notebooks.

Resources for Advanced Information

The Ariana Institute’s Massage Therapy Instructor Course

https://arianainstitute.com/ce-online/#mti

ABMP Instructor Resource Programs

http://www.abmp.com/instructors/ http://www.abmp.com/instructors/instructor_development.php

AFMTE’s Educational Resources for Massage Therapy Teachers

http://www.afmte.org/teacher-education-resources/

AFMTE’s National Teacher Education Standards Project (NTESP)

http://www.afmte.org/education/tesp-core-competencies/

Coursera Instructional Methods in Health Professions Education

https://www.coursera.org/course/instructmethodshpe

Educational Training Solutions

http://www.educationtrainingsolutions.com/about-us/

ELAP (Entry-Level Analysis Project)

http://www.elapmassage.org/

Florida Board of Massage Therapy Education Programs Page

http://floridasmassagetherapy.gov/education-and-training-programs/

NCBTMB Information for Continuing Education Providers

http://www.ncbtmb.org/continuing-education-providers/continuing-education-providers#general

NCBTMB New York Approved CE Sponsor

http://www.ncbtmb.org/continuing-education-providers/ncbtmb-approved-new-york-ce-sponsor

Now that we have explored many options on the MTI path, I’ll leave you with a few thoughts and insights. One of the most important things you can do is to impart the knowledge and wisdom that you have gained over the years. Teaching can be a rewarding and enriching process that benefits the teacher, the student and the recipients of massage. Take time to look inside and see what you can do to let your light shine and manifest your dreams into reality. As Nelson Mandela shared so eloquently, What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.

The information above includes excerpts for the article “Positive Influence: Become a Massage Therapy Instructor,” by Ariana Vincent, originally published in the June 2015 issue of MASSAGE Magazine.

Visit the Ariana Institute’s website to learn about opportunities and courses for future Massage Therapy Instructors at https://arianainstitute.com/ce-online/#mti!
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Posted in Advanced Massage Techniques, Ariana Institute, Ariana Vincent, CE Classes, continuing education, Massage Educators, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy Instructor, Medical Massage, Mind-Body, NCBTMB, Practice Building, Self Care for Massage Therapists, Spa Techniques

Healing with Aromatherapy Massage

What Is Aromatherapy?aroma-906137_1280

Aromatherapy is the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences to balance, harmonize, and promote the health of body, mind, and spirit. It is a natural therapy using various essential oils gathered from certain fragrant plants that have the ability to aid us both physically and psychologically.

Essential oils are potent, volatile essences found in different parts of the plant such as the flowers, twigs, leaves and bark, or in the rind of fruit. For example, in roses the oil is in the flowers, in basil it is in the leaves and in sandalwood it is in the wood. These fragrances can be used either alone or in combinations to create desired effects.
Continue reading “Healing with Aromatherapy Massage”

Posted in Ariana Institute, Ariana Vincent, Aromatherapy, CE Classes, continuing education, Massage Educators, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy Instructor, NCBTMB, Personal Stories, Spa Techniques, Uncategorized

Exploring the Path of a Massage Therapy Instructor

forest-1836654_1280

Choosing Your Path

There are myriad ways you can configure your career as an MTI. You can work part-time or full-time, you can use your experiences as an MTI as a stepping-stone to another career, you can focus on being an MTI as a second career, you can blend teaching with your current vibrant massage therapy practice, or you can supplement your retirement income by becoming an MTI. There are opportunities to work as an independent massage therapy instructor like I do, you can work as an instructor at an established massage therapy school, and/or you can work for a nationwide company that provides massage therapy classes throughout the U.S. Continue reading “Exploring the Path of a Massage Therapy Instructor”

Posted in Advanced Massage Techniques, Ariana Institute, Ariana Vincent, CE Classes, continuing education, Massage Educators, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy Instructor, Medical Massage, Mind-Body, NCBTMB, Practice Building, Self Care for Massage Therapists, Spa Techniques

MASSAGE Magazine’s “30 on 30 – Massage Experts” Article

MASSAGE Magazine covers

MASSAGE Magazine’s recent article, “30 on 30: Massage Experts on 30 Years of Massage Therapy,” featured Ariana Vincent, L.M.T., M.T.I., B.C.T.M.B. The article highlights the experiences, impressions, and opinions of massage experts, therapists, and educators about the massage profession’s evolution over three decades.

Continue reading “MASSAGE Magazine’s “30 on 30 – Massage Experts” Article”

Posted in Ariana Institute, Ariana Vincent, CE Classes, continuing education, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy Instructor, PublicationsTagged , , , , ,

Ariana Vincent, World Massage Festival Hall of Fame Honoree

Ariana Vincent, World Massage Festival Hall of Fame Honoree

Ariana Vincent, CEO of the Ariana Institute for Wellness Education, is excited about attending the at the Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa in Michigan City, Indiana.

On Monday evening, July 13, 2015, Ariana will be giving her acceptance speech as a member of the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame. She was included in the Hall of Fame several years ago; however, this is the first opportunity she has had to personally offer an acceptance speech. She gladly accepted Mike Hinkle’s invitation to officially accept her Hall of Fame award. Ariana is humbled to be honored by a community of friends, colleagues and kindred spirits at the World Massage Festival. She would like to thank everyone involved in helping her on her path to becoming a member of the World Massage Festival Hall of Fame, including Mike Hinkle and Cindy Michaels, the founders of the Festival, her family, her wonderful team at the Ariana Institute, her mentors, and her incredible clients and students.

World Massge Festival Continue reading “Ariana Vincent, World Massage Festival Hall of Fame Honoree”

Posted in Ariana Institute, Ariana Vincent, Awards, CE Classes, continuing education, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy InstructorTagged , , , ,

Positive Influence – PART 3

_Ariana - Portrait with Hands on Client's Back - ZR - Excellent - IMG_3620Beginning Your Career as a Massage Therapy Instructor
There are myriad ways you can configure your career as an MTI. You can work part-time or full-time, you can use your experiences as an MTI as a stepping-stone to another career, you can focus on being an MTI as a second career, you can blend teaching with your current vibrant massage therapy practice, or you can supplement your retirement income by becoming an MTI. There are opportunities to work as an independent massage therapy instructor like I do, you can work as an instructor at an established massage therapy school, and/or you can work for a nationwide company that provides massage therapy classes throughout the U.S. Continue reading “Positive Influence – PART 3”

Posted in Ariana Institute, Ariana Vincent, CE Classes, continuing education, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy Instructor, Publications, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , ,

Positive Influence – PART 2

Ariana with hands on client's back - ZR - IMG_3624What to Look for in a Massage Therapy Instructor’s Course

The first step would be to research and decide whether you prefer an online MTI course or a course that is offered in a classroom environment. Many people prefer an online course since the information presented in an MTI course is cognitive in nature and the online format lends itself well to cognitive classes, while other students prefer personal interactions in a classroom setting. There are also financial considerations to be contemplated; the tuition for an online course is usually less expensive than a classroom course. Online courses also take less time away from income-producing activities while accomplishing the goal of successfully completing an MTI course and beginning a career as an MTI. Here is a testimonial from a student, “I was fully challenged to retain and learn new information. This course was accessible to me online which I love because I don’t have the time for traveling for CEs. Thank you so much giving LMTs like me the opportunity to excel in business and in life. Completing this course makes me feel self-sufficient. Thank you!” – Sabrina Quebe, LMT, MTI Continue reading “Positive Influence – PART 2”

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Positive Influence – Part 1

Ariana

The Paths to Becoming a Massage Therapy Instructor
Serving as a Massage Therapy Instructor and Continuing Education Provider has been a vehicle that has facilitated the opening of my heart and my intellect in unimaginable ways as part of my devotion to a path of service. When you look within yourself and evaluate your life, do you feel that you have the desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others? You could actualize this goal by becoming a Massage Therapy Instructor (MTI). Not only would you be living a virtuous life of service, but you would also concurrently be adding another stream of income to your professional portfolio. If you find this path to be of interest, here are some guidelines that will help facilitate your success. Continue reading “Positive Influence – Part 1”

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